Switch



M. L. NELSON Feb. 13, 1951 SWITCH 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Original Filed Oct.16, 1945 INVENTOR. Ma /2272 l. Mzzlfiarz,

Patented Feb. 13, 1951 SWITCH Martin L. Nelson, Park Ridge, 11].,assignor to Production Instrument Company, Chicago, Ill.,

a corporation of Illinois Original application October 16, 1945, SerialNo.

622,561. Divided and this application Novemher 1, 1946, Serial No.707,198

'6 Claims. (01. 200-159) This invention is concerned with a novel switchI which may be used, for example, in control apparatus such as shown inPatent No. 2,493,464, dated January 3, 1950, of which the presentapplication is a division.

The various objects and features of the invention will appear from thedetailed description of the accompanying drawings which show the newswitch in connection with control apparatus for counting and packagingarticles such as bottle caps. In the drawings,

Fig- 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of the apparatus for countingand packaging bottle caps, including the new switch;

Fig. 2 illustrates a diagrammatic partial top plan view of the apparatuswith a bottle cap and actuating parts shown in position just prior tothe operation of the novel switch;

Fig. 3 represents a view similar to the one shown in Fig. 2, but shows abottle cap and actuating parts of the apparatus in counting position;

Fig. 4 is an enlarged diagrammatic elevational top plan view of thenovel switch with the cover removed to expose its operating parts;

Fig. 5 shows the operating parts of the novel switch as seen alongsectional lines 5--5 in Fig. 4;

Fig. 6 illustrates a mounting detail;

Fig. 7 represents an embodiment of a moistureproof closure for use inconnection with the contact-actuating member of the switch shown inFigs. 4 and 5; and

Fig. 8 is a simplified circuit diagram showing the interconnection ofthe apparatus with a counting device.

Known details and elements will be described only to the extent requiredfor conveying an understanding of what is believed to be new. Like partsare indicated by like reference numerals throughout the drawings.

Referring now to the drawings, and particularly to Figs. 1, 2 and 3, thecontrol apparatus shown in these figures comprises side walls II and I2defining a trough-like channel which encloses a conveyor belt I3. Thebelt I3 is mounted at each end on a rotatable drum such as the drum I 4,the shaft of which is indicated at IS. The drum I4 rotates in thedirection of the arrow shown in Fig. 1. Accordingly, the belt I3 movesin the directionv indicated by the arrows. The objects or articles to becounted, for example, bottle caps, are deposited more or lesshaphazardly on the moving belt I3, at an intermediate point, and movewith the belt to the forward or discharge end at the left. The sidewalls I I and I2 of the feed channel are shown separate from Ill 2 therotatable drum I4 and shaft I5 only for the sake of convenience. It willbe understood that these side walls may be extendedin longitudinal andin downward directions at either end of the structure, and that they mayinclude the bearings for journalling the shaft of the drum I4 as well asthe shaft of the drum at the rear end.

The side wall II of the feed channel is provided with an extension I6which projects laterally therefrom for adjustably attaching the mountingstrip 2| carrying the feed member or wheel I1 and the drive therefor.The wheel I1 is carried by a shaft I8 which is rotatably journalled inthe arms I9 and 20 extending from the mounting strip 2|, the rear end ofwhich is bent upwardly and inwardly to form the extension 22 forjournalling the drive shaft 23. The mounting strip 2| is provided with aslot 24. and its attachment on the lateral extension I6 is obtained bysuitable means, for example, a screw 25. The mounting strip 2|, andtherewith the disk-like feed wheel II, can thus be moved laterally andangularly with respect to the forward end of the feed channel and withrespect to the conveyor belt I3. The feed wheel II constitutes anelement of a discharge gate or passageway for controlling the dischargeof articles from the feed channel. The shaft I8 of the wheel I1 isprovided with a pulley 26, and the shaft 23 is provided with a similarpulley 21. These pulleys are interconnected by a drive belt 28. Adifferent drive, for example, a chain and sprocket drive, may besubstituted. The shaft 23 may be operated in any desirable and suitablemanner, for example, by a flexible shaft drive 29. The side wall I I ofthe feed channel is also provided with a cutout 38 for accommodating thewheel H in any of its retracted angularly and laterally adjustedpositions. The wheel Il may be inthe position shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3for the handling of. relatively small articles, such as small bottlecaps. Its position relative to the feed channel may be changed byreleasing the screw 25 and adjusting the mountingstrip 2| angulai'ly andlaterally as desired, and again tightening the screw 25.

A generally triangular deflector plate 3| is provided which isadjustably secured by means of a screw 32. The screw engages a slot inan car 33 projecting from the side wall 'II laterall inwardly of thefeed channel. The deflector plate 3| is thus likewise adjustableangularly and laterally with respect to the moving belt within the feedchannel, and may be moved into its forward position in which it isshown, ornray be 3 angularly tilted and laterally retracted as desired.The slot 36 in the side wall ii accommodates the deflector plate 3| inlaterally retracted position. The deflector plate constitutes means forguiding the articles on the moving belt tangentially in the direction ofthe discharge gate formed by the wheel 11.

On the side wall l2, near the forward end of the structure, is mountedthe newcontact switch, the housing of which is indicated in Figs. 1, 2and 3 by numeral 36. This switch is particularly shown in Figs. 4-7,inclusive, and will presently be described in detail. It will besufficient to state at this point that the switch is provided with aspring 36 which is adjustably anchored at one end of the switch housingby a plate 31 and the forward end 36 of which is hooked on the mountingplate 39 of the switch housing by an angular extension 99 and islaterally movable with respect to the housing. The spring 36 extendsinwardly of the feed channel through a slot in the side wall 12. In Fig.2, the spring is shown in normal position, and in Fig. 3, it is shown inits actuated position. The spring 36 forms with the feed wheel 11 thepreviously mentioned gate or restricted passageway within the I feedchannel near or at the forward or discharge end thereof. This passagewaynormally prevents or inhibits the passage of the articles for dischargefrom the feed channel.

Assuming now that the belt 13 moves in the direction indicated by thearrows in Figs. 1. 2 and 3, the bottle caps deposited thereon will becarried forwardly toward the discharge end of the structure, and will bedeflected by the plate 31 to flow along the gradually narrowing feedchannel formed by the deflector plate, and thence in the direction ofthe restricted passageway or gate formed by the wheel l1 and the spring36. Further motion of the bottle caps through the restricted passagewayis normally impeded. Assuming. however, that the wheel 11 is rotated, itwill take hold of the bottle cap, for example, the one indicated in Fig.2 by numeral 66, which has reached the restricted passageway, and willspin the bottle cap 66 around its own axis and force it at the same timeforwardly against the elastic pressure of the spring 36, therebydepressing the spring. The parts are shown in Fig. 3 in this actuatedposition. The bottle cap 43 is then discharged and the spring 36 movesinto its normal position shown in Fig. 2, in which the next cap is spunaxially and driven forwardly for discharge as described. The operationis repeated with each bottle cap. The depression of the spring 36,caused by the passage of each bottle cap through the restrictedpasageway, produces an electrical impulse which is transmitted overconductors in a suitable cable ll to the counting device. The latter maybe a predetermined counter, indicated in Fig. 8 by the letters PC.

The bottle caps are in the above described manner individuallydischarged, one by one, into the chute 42 which is provided with theneck 43 and chute branches 44-66 for delivery of the bottle caps intoseparate containers, the delivery being governed by a vane 46 rotatablymounted at 61 and controlled by solenoids 56-6 l.

The structural details of the new contact switch will now be describedwith reference to Figs. 4-7, inclusive.

The switch comprises the housing 36 which is mounted on the side wall I!of the feed channel (Figs. 1, 2, 3) by means of extensions projectingfrom the bottom plate 39 referred to previously as the mounting plate ofthe switch. The housing 36 is provided with a suitable cover which hasbeen omitted in Figs. 4 and 5 to show the interior operating parts. Fromthe mounting or bottom plate 39 extend the posts 62-63. Mounted on thesetwo posts are the legs 64-65 of a resilient generally W-shaped plate.The central leg underlies the contact pile including the contact springs61-66, insulating washers 69, and the terminal strips 66-6l, the firstof which is in engagement with the spring 56 and the sec- 0nd of whichis in engagement with the spring 61. The strip 66 carries the laterallyprojecting terminal II, and the strip 6| carries a similar terminal 66.The forward mounting end 62 of the outside leg 64 of the resilientw-shaped plate is bent with respect to the forwardly projecting centralleg 66, and the forward end 63 of the outside leg 66 is bent likewise.These outside legs are attached to the posts 62, 63 e. g., by means ofthe screws 96, 96, respectively. and it will therefore be clear that theentire contact assembly is disposed at an angle to the plane of thebottom of the housing, as shown in Figs. 5 and 6. The contact pile,including the contact springs 61-66, the insulating washers 69 and theterminal strips 69-61, is secured by means of the screws 66-66 whichproject through the straight central leg 66 of the resilient w-shapedmounting member and through the top wall 66 of a shallow, generallyU-shaped strong control or adjusting member having the side walls 61-66.This adjusting member 66/61/66 thus extends forwardly in parallel withthe contact springs 61-66 at an angle with respect to the plan of thebottom wall 39 of the switch housing. The top wall 66 of the adjustingmember is provided with a cutout 16 through which projects theinsulating portion 11 at the inward end of a plungerlike actuating pin,the rear end 12 of which projects to the outside through a bushing 13.This actuating pin projects into the housing perpendicular to the bottom39 thereof. The contact springs 61-69 are tilted as described and aretherefore disposed at an angle to the axis of the actuating pin "-12.

The free end of the top wall 66 of the adjusting member is provided witha slot 14 and through this slot extends, in the mounted position shownin Figs. 4 and 5, a screw 16 which is attached to a post 16 projectingfrom the bottom wall 39 of the switch housing. The screw 16 is providedwith a nut 11 for the purpose of determining and setting the desiredangular position of the adjusting member 66/61/69 and therefore of thecontact spring 61 with respect to the contact actuating pin 1l-12. Thenipples or projections 16-19 are punched out from the material of thetop wall 66 of the adjusting member at its forward end, where it formsthe slot 16, and on a line which intersects the axis of the nut 11, forthe purpose of forming peripherally effective frictional stop meanswhich prevents inadvertent angular dislocation of the nut 11 incident,for example, to jarring of the mechanism.

An insulating bushing 62 is provided in the housing wall, as shown inFig. 4, for carrying to the outside the cable 4| (Figs. 1, 2, 3) whichcontains the conductors connected to the terminals 66-61 of the contactsprings 61-66, respectively.

It will be seen from the foregoing description that the position of thecontact spring 61 may be adjusted with respect to the insulating portion1| of the contact actuating pin, simply by operating the nut 11 alongthe screw 16, to tilt 8 the adjusting member 88 and therewith the entirespring assembly L. desired clockwise or in counter-clockwise directionuntil the proper and desired co-acting position is obtained between thecontact spring 51 and the actuating pin. The gap between the contactpoints on the springs 5158, and therewith the contact opening andcontact pressure as well as the extent of axial displacement of thecontact actuating pin, can likewise be adjusted by operating the nut 11.In other words, once the position of the adjusting member 86, andtherewith of the contact assembly, is obtained so that the spring 51just touches the tip of the insulating part 1| of the contact actuatingpin, any further (counter-clockwise) tilting of the spring assembly bythe operation of the nut 11 will be against the tip of the insulatingpart 1| oi' the contact actuating pin and wfll tend to narrow the gapbetween the contact points on the springs 51--58. Pressure is thus puton the contact actuating pin "-12, and the gap between the contactpoints on the springs 51-58 is adjusted as desired. The pressure exertedon the actuating pin corresponds to the pressure which will be requiredto operate the contact spring 51 with respect to spring 58, and the gapbetween the contact points on these springs corresponds to the minimumdisplacement of the actuating pin. Upon operative actuation of thecontact springs, the pressure of spring 58 i added to the pressure ofspring 51 on the tip of the contact actuating pin depending on the gapadjustment.

The switch operating spring 36 is mounted on the switch, as isparticularly shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The rear end of the spring 88 isbent at an angle to its body, forming the arm 83 which extends throughan aperture 8| in the bottom extension 88 and is clamped on the end wallof the housing by means of the plate 81. Inasmuch as the spring 38 is inengagement with the outwardly protruding portion 12 of the contactactuating pin, it is thus possible to determine the position of thisactuating pin and of the tip of its insulating portion H with respect tothe contact spring 51. The mounting of the spring 36 furnishes in thismanner, in conjunction with the adjustment that may be obtained by thenut 11, additional adjustment possibilities. In other words, the outwardmotion of the contact actuating pin may be resiliently limited by thespring 36, thereby defining the normal position of the tip of itsinsulating portion 1| with respect to the contact spring 51. Thepressure of the contact springs and the gap between the contact pointsare then adjusted by means of the nut 11, as described before.

The spring 38 is bent at an angle at 86 to form the arm 88 which extendsthrough an aperture 88 in the bottom flange or extension 88 at the leftof the switch structure, as shown in Figs. 4 and 5. The free end of thespring arm 88 is bent to form the hook 88 for overlapping engagementwith the face of the bottom flange 88. The spring 35 is thus elasticallyand adjustably mounted for angular motion with respect to the outwardlyprotruding end 12 of the contact actuating pin.

The switch has been described so far for use in the counting andpackaging of bottle caps. It is understood, of course, that it may beused for counting and for packaging other objects such as cans, jars,bottles and the like, either incident to the manufacture thereof, orincident 8 to their use in canneries, breweries, dairies, etc., etc.

Assuming, for example, that the switch is used for counting milk bottlesin a dairy establishment, it is important that it is made waterandmoisture-proof. The outwardly protruding portion 12 of the contactactuating pin therefore must be protected. Such an arrangement is shownin Fig. '1, the numerals in this figure indicating identical parts asshown in Fig. 5. Accordingly, 38 is the bottom wall of the switchhousing; so indicates the control or adjusting member having the sidewall 81. Through the adjusting member projects the insulating portion 1|of the contact actuating pin. the portion 12 of which protrudes to theoutside through the bushing 18. In order to prevent moisture fromentering the interior of the housing, there is provided a ring 88 whichis firmly attached to the bottom wall 88 outside thereof. The attachmentmay be made by soldering, welding, or in any other desirable andsuitable manner. An elastic cap 88, which may be made, for example, ofrubber, is placed over the ring 83 forming a diaphragm portion 95 whichstretches across the ring 83. This diaphragm portion is provided with anipple 86 for engagement with the operating spring 88. The pressure anddisplacement of the spring 88 are thus effective on the nipple 88 andare elastically transmitted through the diaphragm to the actuating pinportion 12, and thus to the insulating portion 1| thereof which is inoperative engagement with the contact spring.

The far-reaching adjustment provisions of the contact switch furnish animportant improvement which will be appreciated when it is consideredthat the switch, which is a delicate mechanism and requires expert care,may be used in surroundings such as dairies, breweries, etc., which maynot have readily available expert facilities. Adjustments, if any arerequired, do not need expert attention in the present case. All that isnecessary to obtain proper contact adjustment is the use of ascrew-driver and a wrench or pliers for manipulating the nut 11 and theplate 31. And yet, most delicate adjustment can be obtained by thesesimple means.

The counter PC of Fig. 8 may be of the general type shown in U. S.Patents Nos. 2,295,968 and 2,346,869; that is, it may be a predeterminedcounter which may be set to the counting of predetermined numbers orsets of impulses. The counter may include a relay I88 for the operationof a contact spring |8l. In normal position of this contact spring, andassuming that the switch I82 is closed, there is a circuit extendingfrom one terminal of the battery I83 over the solenoid 5| which controlsthe distributor gate 46 shown in Fig. 1 in the receiving chute 43, andback over the switch I82 to the other terminal of the battery I83. Thisposition is maintained for a predetermined number of impulses producedby the passage of a corresponding number of bottle caps, that is, for apredetermined number of caps moving through the restricted passageway bythe operation of the feed wheel l1 in coaction with spring 33. When thispredetermined number of impulses is reached, in other words, when thepredetermined number of bottle caps has been counted and delivered tothe chute M for deposit to a packaging container at the discharge end ofthis chute. the relay I88 energizes and moves the contact spring |8|into alternate position. Accordingly, the solenoid 5| deenergizes andthe solenoid 58 energizes and moves the gate I I. in the feed chute intoits alternate position.

blocking the branch chute N and opening the chute II. The next lot ofbottle caps will then be delivered into mother container disposed at thedischarge end of the branch chute ll.

Changes may be made within the scope and spirit of the following claimswhich define what is believed new and desired to have protected byLetters Patent of the United States.

I claim:

1. A contact switch of the class described comprising a housing, a pairof associated contact springs disposed within said housing, a generallyW-shaped mounting member, means for firmly securing the outside legs ofsaid mounting memher to an inside wall of said housing, means for firmlysecuring said contact springs at one end thereof in engagement with thecentral leg of said mounting member. a plungerlike actuating momberextending axially movably through a wall of said housing, the inner endof said plungerlike actuating member being aligned for coaction wrthsaid contact springs at the free end thereof. 7!. "eat spring carried bysaid housing entirely outside thereof, said leaf spring forming anoperating portion extending alongside said housing spaced therefromthroughout the length thereof and an angularly disposed ortion at eachend. one of said angularly disposed portions forming a retaining armwhich is movably disposed for inward displacement toward said housing atone end thereof and the other angularly disposed portion forming anadjusting arm which is adjustably disposed for inward and outwarddisplacement relative to said housing at the other end thereof. theoperating portion of said leaf spring being arranged for operativecoaction with the outer end of said plungeriike actuating said leafspring forming an operating portion extending alongside said housingspaced therefrom throughout the length thereof and an angularly disposedportion at each end, one of said angularly disposed portions forming aretaining arm which is movably disposed for inward displacement relativeto said housing at one end thereof and the other angularly disposedportion forming an adjusting arm which is adjustably disposed for inwardand outward displacement relative to said housing at the other endthereof, the operating portion of said leaf sprin being arranged foroperative coaction with said diaphragm to act upon the outer end of saidplungerlike actuating member, means for fastening the adjusting arm ofsaid leaf spring in any position of adjustment in engagement with thecorresponding end wall of said housing, the adjusted position of saidadjusting arm of said leaf spring determining the position of theoperating portion thereof relative to said diaphragm to determinethereby the normal position of said plunger-like actuating member and ofthe inner end thereof relative to the free end of said contact springs,a lever arm connected with and extending from the central leg of saidW-shaped member, means for fastening the adjusting arm of said leafspring in any position of adjustment in engagement with thecorresponding end wall of said housing, the adjusted position of saidadjusting arm of said leaf spring determining the position of theoperating portion thereof relative to the outer end of said plungerlikeactuating member to determine the normal position of the inner endthereof relative to the free end of said contact springs, a lever armconnected with and extending from the central leg of said W-shapedmounting member, and means for adjusting the angular position of saidlever arm to determine the normal position of the free ends of saidcontact, springs relative to the end of said piungerlike actuatingmember.

2. A contact switch of the class described comprising a housing, a pairof associated contact springs disposed within said housing, a generallyW-shaped mounting member, means for firmly securing the outside legs ofsaid mounting member to an inside wall of said housing, means for firmlysecuring said contact springs at one end thereof in engagement with thecentral leg of said mounting member, a plungerlike actuating memberextending axially movably through a wall of said housing, the inner endof said plungerlike actuating member being aligned for coaction withsaid contact springs at the free end thereof, an annular mounting memberprojecting from said housing and surrounding the portion of saidplungerlike actuating member which extends therefrom, an elasticdiaphragm carried by saidannular mounting memmounting member, and meansfor adjusting the angular position of said lever arm to determine thenormal position of the free ends of said contact springs relativ to theend of said plungerlike actuating m 3. A switching device comprising ayieldable mounting member having three legs arranged in the generalshape of a W, means for fixedly securing the free ends of the outsidelegs of said mounting member to place the central leg thereof infloating position, contact springs secured at one end to and extendingfrom the floating central leg of said mounting member, an actuatingmember for operatively actuating said contact springs at the free endthereof, an elongated relatively rigid adjusting member directlyconnected at one end with and extending from the floating central legofsaid mounting member, and means coacting with the free end of saidadjusting member for adjustably displacing it to tilt said floatingcentral leg of said W-shaped mounting member for the purpose ofangularly adjusting the contact springs extending therefrom to determinethe position of the free ends of said springs relative to said actuatingmember.

4. A switching device comprising a yieidable mounting member havingthree legs arranged in the general shape of a W, means for fixedlymcuring the free ends of the outside legs of said mounting member toplace the central leg thereof in floating position, contact springssecured at one end to and extending from the floating central leg ofsaid mounting member, an actuating member for operatively actuating saidcontact springs at the free end thereof, an elongated relatively rigidadjusting member directly connected at one end with and extending fromthe floating central leg of said mounting member, means coacting withthe free end of said adjusting member for adjustably displacing it totilt said fioating central leg of said W-shaped mounting member for thepurpose of angulai'ly adjusting the contact springs extending therefromto determine the position of the free ends of said springs relative tosaid actuating member, and means for separately adjusting the positionof said actuating member relative to the free ends of said contactsprings.

5. A switching device comprising a yieldable mounting member havingthree legs arranged in the general shape of a W, means for flxedlysecuring the free ends of the outside legs of said mounting member toplace the central leg thereof in floating position, contact springssecured at one end to and extending from the floating central leg ofsaid mounting member, an actuating member for operatively actuating saidcontact springs at the free end thereof, an elongated reiatively rigidadjusting member directly connected at one end with and extending fromthe floating central leg of said mounting member, means coacting withthe free end of said adjusting member for adjustably displacing it totilt said floating central leg of said W-shaped mounting member for thepurpose of angularly adjusting the contact springs extending therefromto determine the position oi. the free ends of said springs relative tosaid actuating member, means for movably mounting said actuating member,and means for adjustably determining the normal position of saidactuating member relative to the free ends of said contact springs.

6. A switching device comprising a yieldable mounting member havingthree legs arranged in the general shape of a W, means for flxedlysecuring the free ends of the outside legs of said mounting member toplace the central leg thereof in floating position, contact springssecured at one end to and extending from the floating central leg ofsaid mounting member, an actuating member for operatively actuating saidcontact springs at the free end thereof, an elongated relatively rigidadjusting member directly connected at one end with and extending fromthe floating central leg 01 said mounting member,

10 means coacting with the free end of said adjusting member foradjustably displacing it to tilt said floating central leg of saidW-shaped mounting member for the purpose of angularly adjusting thecontact springs extending therefrom to determine the position of thefree ends of said springs relative to said actuating member, means formovably mounting said actuating member, an operating member for directoperative coaction with said actuating member, and means for adjustingthe position of said operating member relative to said actuating memberto determine the normal position of said actuating member relative tothe free ends of said contact springs.

MARTIN L. NELSON.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the flle ofthis patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 708,539 Fell Sept. 9, 19021,627,732 Fonseca May 10, 1927 1,767,636 Wilhjelm June 24, 19301,971,971 Walder Aug. 28, 1934 2,069,171 Merkel Jan. 26, 1937 2,208,432Samuels July 16, 1940 2,248,676 Jensen July 8, 1941 2,267,387 Winbor'neDec. 23, 1941 2,310,791 Keene Feb. 9, 1943 2,338,365 Thorp et al. Jan.4, 1944 2,355,951 Cofleen et a1. Aug. 15, 1944 2,357,973 Robbins Sept.12, 1944 2,451,176 Schellman Oct. 12, 1948

